Bipolar Disorder Moodswings

We have to learn an entirely new language when bipolar disorder comes into our lives. 

Here is some very basic information:

There are two types of bipolar disorder: Bipolar one and Bipolar two. The difference between the two is mania.

Bipolar One: Those diagnosed with bipolar I (one) experience depression along with full blown mania. 

70% of these full blown  manic episodes involve psychosis ..and hospitalization is common, especially during a first episode. (The age of this episode is usually teens to early 20s.)

Biopolar Two: Those with bipolar II (two) have depression with a milder form of mania called hypomania.   Hypomania is milder than full blown mania, but can still be very destructive financially, sexually,  in the work place and for all relationships.

All forms of mania can be destructive in a very short amount of time, especially if a person makes a life changing decision when ill.

Rapid Cycling: If a person has four [ Read More ]





Do you have a bipolar disorder mood swing chart?

 

julie bipolar disorder mood swing chart

Yes, I chart my moods every day!

I used to have an alarm on my watch (hilarious! but it was 1998!)  that indicated it was time for a bipolar check in. I used this a lot when I first created my Health Cards  management plan. I really didn’t know how to manage my moods very well- because I didn’t really know what moods I was having!

Monitoring my moods with an alarm really helped me learn about myself.  What did MY bipolar look like? What was my mania like? 

Why did I do certain things during certain mood swings? Was there a pattern? Was I in the middle of a mood swing and didn’t know it? Was it a good idea to chart my moods?

Oh yes there was! Always. By charting [ Read More ]





BP Magazine (Bipolar Magazine) Subscription Contest

I’ve written a column for BP Magazine since 2005. It’s a wonderful resource for those with the illness as well as ANYONE who is involved with bipolar disorder – from family members, partners and friends to health care professionals, researchers and the media.

I learn a lot from each issue especially in terms of how others deal with the illness and the latest research on medications and other treatments. I have hope when I am done reading!

Here is the link to the  BP Magazine forum. It’s a place you can actually chat with people who understand! If you sign up for the forum, you will be entered into the subscription contest.

BP Magazine Forum Link

I also write for the awesome blog!

BP Magazine Blog. I would love to [ Read More ]





Posted on May 5th, 2011 | Category: Bipolar Treatment Tips

What Strategies Webinar Would You Find the Most Helpful?

Take Our Poll

My goal as a coach is to help as many partners and family members of loved ones with bipolar disorder as possible. If this applies to you, please click on the above poll- I can then find out what topics you would find the most interesting in a webinar.

Julie

Please note that I continue to work with private coaching clients.





Can People with Bipolar Disorder Get Better?

Yes!

 Here is a post from Bonnie. I am always looking for positive stories.

 Hi Julie,

 I just came across your site today. I can relate to your situation. I’m 44 today. Back when I was 17 in 1983, just as I was entering senior high school, I started acting strange. I didn’t want to sleep and I didn’t want to eat. Eventually I was admitted to our local hospital in the mental ward. I was there 2 weeks. I came home but was still not right. I was saying and doing things out of my character. I was becoming delusional. At the end of the year I was admitted to University Hospital in Seattle for about 2 months. It wasn’t until 1986 that I finally was diagnosed with Bi-polar. Back then it was called Manic Depression. I went to a Naturepathic doctor and he put me on a bunch of vitamins and Lithium. I [ Read More ]





Am I in a dream? Is this a bipolar reality show?

Is this illness really REAL? I ask myself this all of the time.

I was diagnosed with ultra rapid cycling bipolar II with psychotic features in 1995. Now there is a diagnosis! I had my first hypomanic episode in 1980. So I have been living with bipolar disorder for all of my adult life. I’m 47 now. You would think that I would be used to it. I’m not. It always shocks me when I get really sick. The mood swings are just so odd. They can be so random and simply stupid-  I can get psychotic just because someone is rude to me in public? That is crazy! I have an argument with my brother and I get in my car and cry so hard I can’t drive? I go out and have fun and meet someone attractive and I get OCD so badly I never call the person again?

How about the depression [ Read More ]





Posted on January 27th, 2011 | Tags: , , , | Category: About Julie, Bipolar Treatment Tips
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